Mower



3 Sheets-Sheet 2. H. AJHOWE.

Mower Pa tented Mary 1880.

Jn-Venior N. PETERSA PHDTOLITHOGRAFMEH. WASHINGTON. D. Q

3 Sheets-Sheet 3,

H. A. HOWE.

Mower.

No 225,607. Patented Mar. 16, I880.

MPETERS, FHOTO-LITHOGRAPMER. WASHINGTON. D c.

UNITED STATES HENRY A. HOWE, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

MOWER.

PATENT OFFICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 225,607, dated March 16, 1880.

Application filed October 29, 1879.

. To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY'A. HOWE, of

,vented an Improvement in Harvesters, of

which the following is a specification.

The nature of this invention relates to certain'new and useful improvements in the construction of that class of harvesters known as mowers; as hereinafter more fully set forth, and then pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective from the rear as the machine appears when in use. Fig. 2 is a perspective from the front with the cutter-bar thrown up, and with-the cap of the main frame removed. Fig. 3 is a vertical central section through the axle. Fig. 4 is a vertical central section through the eccentric shaft on the line w 00, Fig. 7. Fig. 5 is an inside elevation ofa portion of one of the wheels. Fig. 6 is a perspective of the fixed and loose parts of one of the clutches on the axle. Fig. 7 is a vertical central section through the crank-shaft. Fig. 8 is a vertical central section 9n line y y in Fig. .7. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of all the component parts of the main lever detached. Fig. 10 is a detail perspectiveof the tilting ratchet. Fig. 11 is a cross-section of the shoe on line a; m, Fig. 2, showing also con nection with cutter-bar and pitman. Fig. 12 is a detached View of the plate on the heel of the shoe. Fig. 13 is a detached perspective of crank-shaft box inverted. Fig. 14 is a de tached perspective of the catch-plate for springlever. Fig. 15 is a partial perspective of the rear end of the main frame.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, A A represent the traction wheels, which are cast in the form shown, with an inwardly-projecting flange, a, to inclose the loose half I) of the clutch, which is sleeved upon the axle B, said part b fitting over the inner ends of the hubs c. This part of the clutch is provided with spurs d, which project outwardly through the spaces 0 between the spokes of the wheels and the inwardly-projecting flanges and hubs, as shown in Fig. 5. The stationary halves b of the clutches are secured to the axle B, and are provided with the flanges f, which support the loose portions of the clutches or ratchets, and they are so arranged that the two portions will engage within the inwardly projecting flanges a of the wheels A. The inner ends of the fixed parts of the clutches are recessed, as at g, to inclose the outer ends of the axle-bearings, as shown in Fig. 3, and act as sand-bands or dust-guards.

It .will be noticed on reference to Fig. 6 that one of the faces of each of the lugs or spurs d is inclined. The object of this is to compel, in the forward motion of the wheel, the adjacent faces of the spokes to advance upon such inclines until the straight parts of the spurs impinge against said spokes, by which means the loose parts of the clutches are compelled to engage with the stationary parts and give a forward rotary motion to the axle without the aid of springs or pawls usually employed for such purposes of engagement. The reverse motion of the wheel, as in turning, releases the loose portions of the clutches from their engagement and allows the tractionwheels to turn backward without noise.

0 represents the main frame of the machine, which is cast in one piece, and is provided with the laterally-projecting hollow arms D upon either side, through which the axle or main shaft B passes, affording a support for the frame. The upperhalves of the bore of the hollow arms are provided with chilled surfaces, forming abearin g for the shaft, and avoiding the necessity of boring such arms. The forward end of this main frame forms a foot-rest, h, and a support for the forward end of the sub-tongue E. One of the arms D is provided with a rearwardly-projecting grooved support, 5, within which the sub-tongue rests, and is secured thereto by a proper bolt. The frame 0 is extended rearward, formin g a support, F, recessed, as shown in Fig. 15, on its upper face to receive the crank-shaft box G, which is rigidly bolted thereto. This rearward projection also forms the lower half of a shield, F, to protect and partially inclose the crank-wheel, as hereinafter described, and also forming the lower half of the ball-andsocket joint for the inner end of the coupling.

In the main frame is cast a recess or box, H, to receive the driving-gear, and through which the main shaft B passes. This shaft also passes through a spur-wheel, j, and a sleeve, la, the spur-wheel being keyed to the shaft. On the oe thrown forward or back to compel its springcatch 0 to engage with one of the notches in the catch-plate 19 secured to the side of the frame. box H, is sleeved a hub carrying a small pinion, 1", and a spurgear, s. As the lever is thrown forward the gears upon the rock-shaft are carried back so as to engage with the spur-wheel and pinion on the main shaft, and the reverse movement of the lever will disengage such parts.

G is a cap, in the under face of which is formed a pipe-box, it, through which the crankshaft L passes, said cap being bolted within the recess in the rear projection, F, of theframe. This cap also forms the upper half of the shield F, covering the upper portion of the crankwheel M, and it also forms the upper half or cover for the ball-and-socket joint at the inner end of the coupling-bar. The pipe-box t extends through the rear wall of the frame or box which contains the gearing.

Upon the inner end of the shaft L, and within the box H, is properly secured a small bevelpinion, u, which meshes with the larger bevel gear mon the main shaft. Thus, when the parts are engaged by means of the lever J, a forward movement of the machine imparts a rotary motion to the crank-shaft, upon the outer end of which is secured a crank-wheel, M, which carries a wrist-pin, v, to which the pitman N is attached by means of a universal joint, constructed in such manner that lost motion caused by wear may be taken up, while the opposite end of said pitman is connected to the heel of the knife by a ball-and-socket connection, the ball on the heel of the knife being hollow.

0 represents the combined drag-bar and shoe, which carries the usual finger-bar, knife, outer shoe, and track-board. The rear end of this drag-bar is recessed to receive the heel of the finger-bar, and it is also provided with a slotted rearward projection, 0, within which is placed a carrying-wheel, P, which is vertically adjustable therein for the purpose of changing the elevation of the rear end of the drag-bar. Secured to the drag-bar in advance of the finger-bar and knife is a plate, It, which has cast upon its upper face the lug w and the two studs 2, between the latter of which is pivoted the outer end of the bar Z. A bracerod, S, pivoted at one end to the under side of the frame, carries upon its outer end a T- shaped casting, T, one arm of which is pivoted to the forward end of the drag-bar by means of a ball-and-socket joint, as shown, or other convenient means. The opposite arm of this casting is likewise pivoted, by means of a ball- On this shaft I, within the recess or and-socket joint or otherwise, to one end of the draw-rod U, the opposite end of which is attach ed to the-under side of the pole or tongue V, which is secured to the sub-tongue, and in such manner that it will form an alignmentrod, by means of which the cutter-bar can be kept in line by taking up the lost motion caused by wear. This may be accomplished in many ways; but I prefer to secure to the under side of the tongue 'a plate, 1, which is provided with a downwardly-projecting lug, 2, through which passes a threaded eyebolt, 3, receiving upon either end of the said lug nuts 4, the end of the draw-rod being secured in the eye of the bolt 3. The drag-bar is concave upon its upper face and convex upon its under face in cross section, for the purpose of obtaining greater strength with lightness of material.

A plate, 5, is secured to the sub-tongue, and

is provided with the standard 6 and lugs 7. The standard is cast with a laterally-projecting hollow arm, 8, upon which is sleeved the grooved pulley 9, which is cast with a ratchet, 10, upon theinner edge. Sleeved upon the same arm is the lower end of the spring-lever 11, and outside of this is sleeved the square-notched wheel 12', the whole being secured to place upon the hollow arm by means of a bolt, 13. This lever 11 is cast with an annular recess, 14, upon each side thereof, and with a central hole, 15, to receive the hollow shaft 16, upon' which the pawls 17 18 are rigidly secured, one upon either side of the lever, and the whole of the parts are secured together by a bolt, 19, passing through. such shaft. There are two springs, 36, one being inserted in each of the annular recesses 14, so arranged as to bring their torsional strain on the outside pawl, 18, to hold the same at all times in its engagement with the rectangularly-notched wheel 12, except when such engagement is released by the operator. 7

20 is a bell-crank lever, pivoted to the lever 11 at or near the top, and to this lever 20 is connected the rod 21, pivoted at its opposite end to the crank 22 projecting from the pawl 18. The whole of these parts are so arranged that when-the upper end of the bell-crank lever is closed against the lever 11 the pawl 18 will be disengaged from the notched wheel 12, which latter is held in position by the springdog 23, and the pawl 17 is compelled to engage with the ratcheted pulley 10, by means of which, a backward motion being given to the lever 11, said pulley 10 is rotated'to wind up the chain 24, which leads from said pulley to and around a pulley, 25, secured. at the rear end of the sub tongue, then to the lug w rising from the plate It, and by means of which the drag-bar is raised from the ground and the fin ger-bar is folded vertically, being locked to such position by the gravity-dog 26. A wrist-pin or stud, 27, projects laterally from the outer face of the notched wheel 12, to which is properly secured one end of a rod, 8, the opposite end of which engages with the brace-rod S, by means of which the pointof the drag-bar and shoe may be elevated or depressed to regulate the elevation of the points of the guards on the finger-bar.

A cap, W, is properly hinged to the front wall ofthe box H of the main frame, to cover and inclose the gearing within such box, and to protect it from dust or dirt. This cap, when closed, rests upon rubber cushions a let into the edge of the wall of the recess or box H, while a hole in its rear end slips over a notched stud, 28, rising from the rear wall of the recess, and a cam-latch, 29, pivoted to the cover, engages with such stud, draws the cap firmly down upon the rubber cushions and'securely locks the cap in place, preventing any rattling of the cover when in such position.

In the forward end of the cap is cast a recess and shoulder, 30, which form a seat or support for the lower end of the seat-spring 31. To the upper end of this spring is secured a combined seat and tool-box, 32 33, the seat forming the lid to the box,to which it is hinged, and it is secured in its closed position by a cam-latch, 34, pivoted to the tool-box, which engages with a notched stud, 35, on the under side of the seat.

What I claim as my invention is- 1. In a harvester, the main frame, consisting of the body H for the gearing, foot-rest h, hollow arms I), inclosing the axles, two grooved tongue-supports, and a rear extension provided with the lower half of the crank-shield and a recess for the reception of the crankshaft tube, all cast in one piece, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

2. In harvesters, and in combination with the main frame, the hollow crank shaft box 1., cast in one piece with the upper half of the crank-shield F, and socket for balland-socket 40 joint, and adapted to be secured in arecess in the main frame, substantially as described.

3. In a harvester, and in combination with the axle and driving-wheels thereof, a stationary half of a clutch, rigidly secured to the axle and forming a sand-protector at the end of ,the axle-boxes, and a loose half of a clutch, sleeved upon the axle and provided with cam-faced lugs, which, by their'engagement with the spokes of the wheels, compel the engagement hinged to the main frame at its inner end, and

provided at its outer end with T-shaped plates T, forming sockets at their ends, of drag-bar O, with a ball at its upper end, and rod U, adjustably connected, by a screw-threaded eyebolt, at one end with the tongue, and having a ball on its other end engaging with the for. ward socket in the plates T, substantially as described.

7. The combination, with the drag-bar O, of the plate R, having lugs z, 'and upright w, provided with, adjusting-holes forthe lifting device, and coupling-bar Z, hinged to the main frame, substantially as described.

8. In a harvester, the coupling-bar Z, hinged to the drag-bar at one end and attached to the crank-box extension of the main frame at its opposite end by a universal joint, substantially as described.

9. The combination, with the main frame of a harvester having a recess, H, provided with a stud, 28, and rubber cushions a, of the hinged cover W, having spring 31, carrying the seat, and eccentric latch 29, substantially as described.

10. The concave drag-bar 0, serving the double purpose of a drag-bar and shoe, and provided with a recess for the finger-bar, substantially as described.

11. In a harvester, the draft-rod U, pivot ally secured to the front end of the drag-bar and adjustably secured to the tongue, by means of which the finger-bar can be properly aligned at will, substantially as set'forth.

12. The tool-box 33, provided with a recess in its bottom for the reception of the seatspring, in combination with the spring 31 and seat 32, hinged to the box, and serving as a seat for the driver and cover for the tool-box, substantially as described.

13. In a harvester, the drag-bar and shoe 0, combined and cast in one piece and pivotally attached at front and rear, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

14. In a harvester, the drag-bar and shoe 0, combined and cast in one piece, concave in cross-section, pivotally secured at front and rear, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

HENRY A. HOWE.

Witnesses H. S. SPRAGUE, OHAs. J. HUNT. 

